Senator Sakaja calls for proper regulations to deal with drug abuse

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has called on the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and pharmacies to ensure proper regulations are set in place to ensure drugs misuse and abuse doesn’t prevail. Speaking at the United Nations office in Gigiri, Nairobi, during the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Tuesday, Senator Sakaja said many people are accessing a lot of drugs across pharmacies countrywide, “We put pharmacies on notice. There is a lackadaisical approach to drugs and it’s going to become an epidemic,” he said.

Senator Sakaja said a senate meeting will be held to sensitize senators, with the UN office on drugs and crime

He also noted some drugs are being spread through recreational areas, including gambling dens, “There is currently an approach targeting illegal gambling dens,” he said, referring to the intensified war on illegal gambling by the government. Sakaja added that minors are being exposed to khat in the miraa dens, “We are going to put in renewed energy and focus in stopping those and ensuring this country remains drug-free.” He revealed that in the coming weeks there will be a meeting of the entire Senate and the United Nations office on drug and crime to sensitize Senators.

The Nairobi Senator also stressed the importance of mental health, saying there hasn’t been enough focus on young people who are depressed, or who are going through mental issues. “We don’t have enough personnel with the capacity and training to deal with this. We’ve seen a lot of suicide attempts and suicides going up and all of this are one way or another connected with drugs,” he said.